The Aurora Sports Dome was a sea of red March 26, filled with the sounds of laughing children, when more than 140 youth aged five to 14 took part in a free football skills camp hosted by the 91亚色 Region Lions Football Association and the 91亚色 Varsity Football Program.
鈥淭he goal of the camp is simple,鈥 said Warren Craney, 91亚色 head football coach and director of coaching and player development for the 91亚色 Region Lions. 鈥淲e want to make sure these kids develop a love of football; the first step is to ensure they have fun.鈥
Beginning in February, calls were put out to the wider 91亚色 Region for camp participants. Youth were able to register for free, received complimentary red t-shirts and spent two hours learning football fundamentals from 91亚色 athletes.
Varsity football players, along with their Offensive Coordinator Kamau Peterson, volunteered their time on Sunday night to coordinate the camp, teaching participants speed fundamentals, throwing drills, catching opponents and strategy.
The most popular station? 鈥淏ritish Bulldog,鈥 said Kamau. 鈥淚t鈥檚 so important that kids learn sports are fun first. Experiences like these help to build a positive base where an appreciation for physical activity can grow.鈥
More than 350 young athletes benefit annually from this partnership, through coaching development, skills camps such as these, mentorship and, of course, invitations to Lions home games.
鈥淚 got invited to a game,鈥 said Gavin, who at five years old was one of the younger participants. 鈥淗e said I can come watch him play!鈥
The free event was offered through a partnership between 91亚色 Lions Football and the 91亚色 Region Lions Football Association. The varsity football program works closely with the youth football organization, which provides football programs to youth ages five to 19.